The Law Office of Roy John C. Basa, Jr., Esq

02/21/2026

[SHARE] 🇵🇭 OVERSEAS FILIPINOS: DON’T MISS YOUR VOTE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT! 🇵🇭

The 2028 Philippine National Elections are coming, and you can vote for the next President even if you’re abroad!

Registration of overseas voters ends on 30 September 2027. In the first two months, 300 kababayan have already registered at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆! Register now. Visit tinyurl.com/OverseasVote2028 for more information.

01/19/2026

[ADVISORY] IMPORTANT REMINDER ON PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP AND BALIKBAYAN PRIVILEGE

The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. wishes to remind Filipinos in the United States and the Caribbean that under Philippine law, natural-born Filipinos who became naturalized citizens of another country are deemed to have lost their Philippine citizenship and are regarded as former Filipinos, unless they take formal steps to reacquire Philippine citizenship.

Former Filipinos CANNOT use their old Philippine passports for travel or for other purposes, even if still valid, because they are considered foreigners and doing so would violate Philippine passport laws.

Under Republic Act No. 9225, former natural-born Filipinos who lost their Philippine citizenship by foreign naturalization may reacquire Philippine citizenship and become dual citizens. This allows them to get a Philippine passport, live in the Philippines indefinitely, own property without the restrictions applied to foreigners, exercise their right to vote, and enjoy the rights of Filipino citizens, subject to existing laws. Minor children of those who reacquire under R.A. 9225 may also derive Philippine citizenship and enjoy the same rights and privileges.

This is to be distinguished from cases where a person already held dual citizenship and later expressly renounced Philippine citizenship (for example, a dual Filipino-U.S. citizen who executed an affidavit of renunciation). Such cases are not covered by R.A. 9225 and therefore cannot reacquire Philippine citizenship under that law.

Former Filipinos who do not wish to reacquire Philippine citizenship may still travel to the Philippines without a visa and a return ticket, and stay for up to one (1) year under the Balikbayan visa-free privilege, subject to existing guidelines.

Former Filipinos who would like to reacquire their Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 may apply at the Embassy, Consulates, or at consular outreach missions. For more information, please visit philippineembassy-dc.org or contact your nearest Philippine Embassy (https://tinyurl.com/wdcpedirectory)/Consulate in the United States (https://tinyurl.com/yck559z8).

01/10/2026

[ADVISORY] J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA IS NOT A PATH TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP

The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC reminds the public that the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program visa is a temporary, non-immigrant program designed for cultural exchange. It is not an employment/work visa.

Filipino teachers should be aware that participation in the program does not lead to U.S. permanent residency or citizenship. Please be reminded of the terms of the program:
• J-1 teachers are required to return to the Philippines after completing the program
• Filipino teachers are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Waiver of this requirement is difficult to obtain, not guaranteed, and requires exceptional hardship or highly meritorious circumstances.
• Overstaying in the United States beyond the authorized period of stay is a serious violation of U.S. immigration law, and can result in deportation and long-term bans.

The Embassy has received reports of illegal recruiters, unscrupulous agents, and individuals posing as immigration lawyers who:
• Demand large sums of money for immigration assistance
• Promise U.S. permanent residency or citizenship through the J-1 program, and
• Encourage overstaying, misusing visas, or filing asylum claims solely to remain in the United States

Teachers who are J-1 visa holders or applicants are urged to participate in the program only with a clear understanding of its objectives and limitations. Those considering long-term immigration options must seek advice from a qualified U.S. immigration attorney.

For questions, please contact the Philippine Embassy (https://tinyurl.com/wdcpedirectory) or your nearest Philippine consulate (https://tinyurl.com/yck559z8)

09/22/2025

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-unveils-first-changes-to-naturalization-test-in-multi-step-overhaul-of-american-citizenship

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services posted a Federal Register notice announcing implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test.

06/13/2024

Please support my mother's restaurant, Annie's Restaurant & Pancake House, by voting for them for Best Brunch, Best Family Value Restaurant, and Best Neighborhood Place. Thank you!

Suburban Chicago's Information Source

02/09/2022

USCIS Announces New Agency Mission Statement

Mission Statement USCIS upholds America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve. Who We Are USCIS

10/24/2021

Where to check USCIS Processing Times

This site provides applicants the ability to see an estimate of the time to completion from submission of USCIS forms based on its adjudication location and subtype.

10/11/2021

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/covid-19-vaccination-required-for-immigration-medical-examinations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical....

08/20/2021

https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange

We strongly encourage you to update your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays related to your case.

06/27/2021

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-extends-flexibility-for-responding-to-agency-requests-5

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020

01/10/2021

This is a good sign for our Dreamers. Stay tuned!

Will introduce immigration bill 'immediately' after taking office, says Joe Biden - The Economic Times

Restricting immigration has been a focus of the Trump administration since its first days when it issued the travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, and it has continued into Trump's final year in office as the White House uses the coronavirus pandemic as cover.